Kensington Swan's view on aspects of the construction industry

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Monthly Archives: September 2014

Statistics New Zealand has released figures for August showing that building consents were at their highest level since 2007. While the numbers are increasing the trend is also levelling out indicating that any future growth (if any) may be small. In dollar terms $1.2billion of work was consented in August with the large majority of…

It is important that parties to a contract know their rights under a contract. Firstly so that they can perform the contract as they are required to; but also so that they know when they are entitled to terminate and when they are not. A recent case in New South Wales highlights how getting the…

Many employers seek to rely on a trial period clause in their employment contracts. These clauses provide that an employee will have no right to bring a personal grievance against unfair dismissal if let go within 90 days. One such employer, Smith Crane & Construction Ltd, attempted to terminate Andrew Hall’s employment on this basis.…

A wall has been stolen from the construction site of a house in Christchurch. The house is part of a development by True Green Homes. The alleged thief broke into the building site and “ripped out insulation, tore into cavities, and stole a fully-constructed wall from the lounge” according to a report in The Herald.…

The number of construction sites in Christchurch’s central city is on the rise, and the local council has taken steps to ensure that the fences and protective hoardings surrounding these sites do not become (in the words of Christchurch newspaper, The Press) ‘graffiti-covered eyesores’. Yesterday, the Christchurch City Council’s Environment Committee approved a policy change…

Use of application software (apps) in mobile devices and computers is widespread, and is becoming increasingly relied upon by businesses. Among the millions of available apps, a number perform functions that have the potential to revolutionise the construction industry.

Engineers accountability and competency has been a hot topic ever since the collapse of the CTV building. Recently Nick Smith, the Building and Housing Minister, announced that the Government has been looking to ‘strengthen’ (aka increase) regulations around engineers training and accountability (see our previous post here). As a further development in the CTV saga…

The Waikato Times reports that Hamilton’s proposed $3.3 billion transport hub, known as the Ruakura Inland Port, is closer to becoming a reality after a crucial change to the city plan was given the go ahead yesterday.

Building and construction Minister Dr Nick Smith is looking to strengthen regulation for engineers. The proposed regulations would focus on two key areas: requirnig engineers to have the right knowledge, skills and competence to undertake the certain roles (such as designing a building); and ensure engineers are accountable for failings in their work. This second…

A research project undertaken by University of Canterbury Engineering honours students has found an improvement in New Zealand’s construction industry health and safety statistics. New Zealand has one of the highest rates of construction industry-related health and safety incidents in the OECD, however over the past decade this rate has dropped 20 percent in terms…